The Birch Grove and Pan Fountain

This grove of white birch trees (Betula papyrifera) planted before 1894 was Saint-Gaudens' first garden. Several original trees remain today. This, together with another early garden of Saint-Gaudens, was illustrated by Guy Lowell in 1902 in his book American Gardens.

A marble pool, dominated by a statue of a gilded, mature Pan, incorporates fish sculpted by Saint-Gaudens as spouting fonts. Facing the Pan Fountain, an enclosing bench, or exedra, with cast concrete end panels by Augustus' brother, Louis St. Gaudens, depicts a youthful Pan. The Birch Grove and Pan Fountain Garden today remains unchanged from Saint-Gaudens' design.

The garden's architecture of white birch bark and white exedra against a background of cool green, combine with dappled shade, splashing water, and views of Mt. Ascutney to make it a favorite spot.

The Pan Fountain and classical details of the Little Studio.

A 350 foot allee, or tree-lined walk, planted with double rows of white birch trees lines the north side of the historic core area. While planted after his death, the allee delineates a strolling avenue of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Sixty trees make up the allee which was planted around 1948. The concept and design may have been influenced by landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman who lived in Cornish from 1894 until 1941and served as Trustee of the Saint-Gaudens Memorial.

Autumn leaves color the Birch Allee.

High clipped hedges, some nearly one hundred years old and twelve to fourteen feet high, surround the property on most sides. Saint-Gaudens planted them along drives and walks, to enclose gardens, a bowling green and service areas.

Over 1500 plants of eastern white pine and Canadian hemlock make up 3000 linear feet of hedges at the Park. While hemlock is commonly used as hedge material, such use of pine is rare.

A thornless honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos inermis) planted by Saint-Gaudens in 1886 at the front of his summer home reaches 110 feet in height today. Its size and grandeur makes it is a New Hampshire State Champion Tree.

The honeylocust tree shades 'Aspet.'

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